Phoenix riders top $48,000 for kids with brain tumors

Arizona motorcyclists showed their support for children with brain tumors at the 17th Phoenix Ride for Kids on Oct. 20. As of press time, the event had raised $48,462 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

More than 160 participants gathered at the ride’s new location, Higley High School in Gilbert, on a warm, sunny morning. They rode to honor seven young brain tumor survivors: Keegan, Leslie, Rosalena, Sabrina, Gaites, Cierra and Brock.

“The first year I came out here I was in a wheelchair. Today I got to ride my own bike and it felt great,” said Gaites, 17. “I would have never known about this without all of you. I fell in love with motorcycles that first ride and this has been my wish since then.”

The event is still collecting donations online at www.rideforkids.org. Fundraisers will receive incentive credit through Nov. 20.

Making life better for young people like Gaites is the reason motorcyclists across the country ride for the PBTF, which funds medical research and family support programs to help eliminate the challenges of childhood brain tumors.